Multiple rotary wind power systems

ABSTRACT

A wind power system driven by multiple rotary devices strung on a cable.

Reference is made to my copending patent application Ser. No. 145,457filed Apr. 30, 1980 for a Suspended Wind-Powered Rotary Impeller Device.

My invention relates to support and energy extraction means for a systemof multiple like rotary devices which are strung on a cable.

A primary object of my invention is to present a wind-power systemcomprising several like rotary devices suspended at intervals on acable, together with device support means and power transmission means.

Another object is to present a support system as indicated above whichwill accept winds from any direction.

Another object is to present a means for transmitting rotational torqueenergy from said multiple rotary devices to a common external powerreceiving unit.

Other objects will detailed in the following descriptions andspecifications, and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich all identical parts are like numbered.

In accomplishing these and other objects, my invention is not limited tothe form or forms disclosed.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a device illustrating the principles of myinvention.

FIG. 2 is an open face edge view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the lower level means shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the upper level means shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an open face side view of the device shown in FIG. 4.

The conventional wind power system comprises a single wheel or propelloron a single rigid support tower, driving a single power receiving unit.

My invention substitutes multiple devices for the single wheel orpropellor in the conventional system, substitutes a single cablesupported by external means for the conventional tower, and adds powertransmission means linking said multiple devices to a single powerreceiving unit.

A segmented flexible shaft having one segment between each said rotarydevice suspension means, capable of withstanding turning torque ineither direction, transfers energy from my devices to an external powerreceiving unit.

In its preferred form, my system has all gears and bearings immersed inoil to reduce friction and minimize servicing requirements.

My system permits the suspended rotary devices to assume, within allpractical limits, whatever direction or angle of declination is dictatedby wind forces. The devices swing essentially in unison to either sideof a cable fastened to external rotatable means. However, each device isindependently moveable within limits in either direction in line withsaid cable. This combination of allowable movements permits universaldirection and declination positioning within practical limits for eachdevice. Said suspension rods tend to assume parallel positions, rangingfrom vertical to horizontal, depending on wind speed.

In the drawings:

Both ends of Cable 1 are fastened to external rotatable support means,not shown. Suspension Frame 2 is secured to Cable 1 by Clamps 3. LowerHousing 4 and Upper Housing 5 are affixed to Suspension Frame 2 byconventional bolts, with gaskets and spacers as required. Pipe 6 encasesthe upper threaded end of Suspension Rod 7, the lower end of which isfixed to Rotary Device 8. Pipe 6 is threaded at both ends, and capped onthe lower end by Cap 9 which encloses Grease Seal 10. The upper end ofPipe 6 screws into rotatable Housing 11 and is sesured by Nut 12. Pipe6, with its enclosed bearing assembly, fully supports Suspension Rod 7and its affixed Rotary Device 8, which are more fully described in mycopending patent application referred to above. The preferred bearingassembly in Pipe 6 is equivalent to that in the front spindle of abicycle.

Gear 13, secured by Nut 14, is affixed to the upper end of SuspensionRod 7. Gear 15 and Gear 16 are slideably interlocking, moving closertogether, or farther apart, with any rotation of Housing 11 with respectto Housing 4. Gears 15 and 16 are mounted upon conventional bearingsupports. The axle of Gear 15 is affixed to Housing 11, while the axleof Gear 16 is affixed to Housing 4. Housing 11 is fitted with maleThreads 17, while Housing 4 is fitted with female Threads 18, to permitHousing 11 to be screwed into Housing 4. The meshing Threads 17 and 18act as a lubricated bearing to permit Housing 11 to rotate with respectto Housing 4. Gear 15 is fitted with Protruding Teeth 33, and Gear 16 isfitted with Protruding Teeth 34 which interlock when Housing 11 isscrewed into Housing 4.

Gear 16 meshes with and drives Gear 19, which is fixed to Rod 20. Rod 20is supported within Pipe 21 by bearings like those in Pipe 6. Pipe 21 isthreaded at both ends and the lower end is screwed into Housing 4 andsecured by Nut 22, while the upper end is screwed into Housing 5 andsecured by Nut 23. Gear 24 is fixed to the upper end of Rod 20 amdmeshes with and drives Gear 25, which is fixed to Drive Shaft 26. DriveShaft 26 is secured within Housing 5 on conventional bearings, and isthreaded at both ends for engagement into threaded Receptacles 27 whichare fixed to the ends of Flexible Shafts 28. Conventional capped oilInjection Pipe 29 is affixed to the top of Housing 5. Grease Seals 30are retained by Caps 31. Threaded Sleeves 32 serve to restrain leakageof lubricating oil.

I claim:
 1. A wind-powered energy converter system comprising a cablestretched horizontally between external supports, multiple like rigidframes attached at intervals to said cable and pendent therefrom, saidframes being fitted with torque power transmission means together withholding means for holding an appended external rotary wind drivenimpeller, wherein one said impeller is held in suspension beneath eachsaid frame by having the upper extremity of a support member of saidimpeller securely held in rotatable contact with said torque powertransmission means, and wherein said holding means permits said supportmember of said impeller to be deployed at any angle of declination fromvertical to horizontal in either direction within the plane of saidcable.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding means forsaid external impeller comprises a threaded housing fixed to said frameand a rotatable threaded housing threadedly joined therewith, whereinsaid external support means is fixed rotatably into said rotatablethreaded housing.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the twosaid threaded housings enclose a cavity which contains two sets ofmatching gears on conventional shafts and bearings, comprising, for eachsaid housing, a first gear set upon a shaft which is fixed to saidhousing wall, centered with respect to threaded open extremity of saidhousing and normal to the plane of such threaded extremity, and a secondgear meshing therewith at right angles, which second gear is fixed to adrive shaft extending outward from said housing, and wherein said firstgear of said fixed housing is fitted with protruding teeth whichslideably interlock with like teeth in the opposing said first gear ofsaid rotatable housing when the two said housings are threadably joined.